Lighter actuating mechanism



INVENTQR.

WAREN I, NSSEN BY Ama( ATTo-ENEYS.

w. l. NlssEN LIGHTER ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed June 7 Feb. 2l, 1950 Paten'ted Fel). 21, l95

LIGHTER ACTUATING MECHANISM Warren I. Nissen, Newark, N. J., assignor to Ron- 'son -Art Metal Works, Inc., Newark, N. J., a

corporation of New Jersey Application June 7, 1947, Serial No. 753,171

1 Claim. l

The invention relates to pyrophoric lighters of the type wherein a fingerpiece is positively connected to the sparking mechanism, to actuate the latter. To secure adequate spark production and reliable ignition in lighters of the above type, it is important that the iingerpiece be operated vigorously enough to insure rapid motion oi the sparking mechanism, to which object the present invention is primarily directed. In accordance therewith, a latch device is positioned in the path of movement of the ngerpiece in moving from idle position, in such manner as to obstruct or prevent such movement, but as the operator eX- erts greater manual pressure on the fingerpiece, the latch device is moved to non-obstructing position. As soon as the latch is released, the increased pressure which the operator thus applies, insures rapid and effective actuation of the sparking mechanism. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be in part obvious and in part specifically referred to in the description hereinafter contained which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred form of lighter which is constructed to operate in accordance with the invention; the disclosure, however, should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention in its broader aspects.

In the drawings- Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section of a lighter .constructed to operate in accordance with the invention, the ngerpiece and associated parts appearing in idle position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the lngerpiece in active, depressed position. I

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing detached, a form of latch device constituting a part of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The invention is illustrated as applied to a lighter of well known form in respect to many of its features of construction, having a fuel casing I, from which protrudes a wick tube 2. A sparking wheel 3 which cooperates in known manner with a flint 4, is rotatably mounted on an axle 5, as is also a snuffer 6. A reciprocable Iingerpiece 'I is mounted within a barrel 8 supported by the casing I, and is urged toward its upper idle position by a spring 9 within such barrel. When the ngerpiece is depressed, the

sparking wheel is positively driven in proportion to the rate of movement of the ngerpiece, to project sparks onto the wick carried by wick tube 2 and simultaneously the snuffer 6 is swung upwardly to expose the wick. Upon release of the ngerpiece the spring 9 restores it to the idle position shown in Fig. 1, the sparking wheel usually being freed from connection with the fingerpiece during this stage of movement, by an appropriate ratchet mechanism (not shown) Since Various forms of lighters of the construction and mode of operation as thus far described, are well known in the art, the same will not be described in greater detail herein.

In the illustrated form of the invention, the latch device above referred to is provided with an annular base I which surrounds the plunger II extending downwardly from the ngerpiece and engaging slidably within barrel 8. The spring 9 presses the base I of the latch toward a shoulder I2 on plunger I I. The latch is provided with an upwardly extending shank I3, which is received within a notch I4 in the plunger, and

when the fingerpiece is in idle position, a locking lug I5 engages with parts xed with respect to the casing to obstruct movement of the ringerpiece toward active position; in the form shown, this lug I5 overlies the upper end of barrel 8.

The spring 9 urges the latch device into the locking position shown in Fig. 1, wherein it resists movement of the ngerpiece in response to manual pressure by the user, which causes the user to apply increased pressure. This increased pressure causes the shank of the ngerpiece to tilt inwardly further into the notch I4 until the lug I5 is released from locking position, whereupon the added pressure insures rapid movement of the iingerpiece during its spark producing stroke, and consequently more reliable spark production by the sparking wheel 3. The amount of manual pressure required to release the ngerpiece will depend upon the angle at which the base I0 or lug I5 or both, are directed with respect to the shank I3, and when the ngerpiece has reached active position and manual pressure upon it is released, the spring 9 in restoring the fingerpiece to idle position, will also restore the latch device to the locking position shown in Fig. 1.

While the invention has been disclosed as carried out by a lighter of the above described specific construction, it should be understood that changes may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A cigar lighter having a casing, a wick tube, a sparking mechanism, and a reciprocable lingerpiece mounted on said casing, said iingerpiece being positively connected to said sparking mecha- 4 `nsm to actuate the latter in moving from idle to and thereby release the flngerpiece for movement active position, a guide plunger connected to said toward its active position. ngerpiece and extending into said casing, a A WARREN I, NISSEN spring surrounding said plunger to urge said iingerpiece toward idle position, and a relatively 5 REFERENCES CITED rigid latch piece havingabase interposed between The following references are of record in the said ngerpiece and spring, a shank receivable fue of this patent. in a recess in said plunger, saiddatchpiece ,alsog having awlnghextendinfg rm said shanlggsaidbasd STAIES Si being urged by said spring into a position wherein i@ Number Name Date said lug engages the casing structure to prevents.; 1i3'74892 Butler Aug 30J 1932 movement of said flngerpiece toward active posi# tion, but said base being movable, fnd'er..lth"e.. building up of manual pressurevupgnvrthenpger. piece, to tilt said shank andy'lud'gJ hvzrece'slsgz EQBEIGN PATENTS Cgyntry Date it,A rland Oct. 2, 1933 

